An aviation maintenance company owned by Air New Zealand says 84 jobs could be lost in a proposed restructure.
Safe Air, which is based in Blenheim, is beginning consultation with its staff.
The company says it is working on upgrades of the Royal New Zealand Air Force's C-130 Hercules and P3 Orion aircraft fleets and those projects will finish in the coming year, so it needs to reposition the business for reduced work flow.
Safe Air says the proposed restructure could result in 80 roles going in Blenheim across the business including management, support staff and production staff.
The Engineering, Printing & Manufacturing Union, which represents some of the workers whose jobs are on the line, says the proposed job losses will be a blow to the community.
Spokesperson Strachan Crang told Checkpoint the workers are angry and will have to start looking for work outside Blenheim.
"They are disappointed that no-one is looking after Kiwi jobs and Kiwi manufacturing."
Listen to Strachan Crang